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Author Topic:   Ice for coolers

Dick E posted 04-30-2009 06:55 PM ET (US)
The price of ice continues to rise.
I have extra space in my freezer to freeze ice. I am thinking 5 gallon buckets.This is will not be use for direct human consumption. It will be used to keep fish cool and cool down drinks in bottles. Getting the ice of the buckets when frozen can be difficult. Any ideas to get the ice out easier?

Buckda posted 04-30-2009 07:01 PM ET (US)
First, I'd consider using 1 gallon and 1/2 gallon milk jugs. easier to use, keeps the cooler "dry" and accomplishes the same task. Also - these can be stacked more easily in the freezer, and give you some flexibility in your cooler arrangements. This also allows you to be able to use the water to drink, if needed.
I also usually freeze several small water bottles or empty 20 oz coke bottles filled with water and then retrieve them out of the cooler throughout the day to provide ice-cold water to drink.
...but - if you want to go with the buckets, I suggest running a full tub of hot water in the bathtub and then dropping the 5 gallon bucket into that tub. The ice will release from the sides of the bucket.
If you're definitely not going to drink the water, you can also oil the sides of the bucket - even cooking spray like "Pam" works.
kwik_wurk posted 04-30-2009 07:03 PM ET (US)
Vaseline.
I have only used it once, and I actually put the entire cooler in the fridge. It was a 4" layer of ice at the bottom of the cooler.
You could try a trash bag, or similar liner.
But I have always used 1-liter and 2-liter soda bottles.
A five gallon bucket, is going to last a long time in a fish box, and be heavy. (That should last multiple days.)
Buckda posted 04-30-2009 07:08 PM ET (US)
Another benefit to the milk jug method - water conservation. I'm no tree hugger, but it sure is nice to save a bit of the environment when you can. These can be frozen, thawed, refrozen, etc. repeatedly throughout the season. The milk jugs can then be recycled at the end of the season, or they can be used elsewhere around the house. I have one right now that is propping my basement door open so I can blow cool basement air up into the main floor at night while I sleep.
crabby posted 04-30-2009 08:58 PM ET (US)
I agree with everyone, make smaller batches. They will fit in more nooks and crannies. Line the buckets with bags if you use 5 gallon pails. You must have access to various sized containers in your line of work, be creative! Can you fit a cooler into your freezer? If so then fill it up as much as you need (or can lift). Bigger blocks always seem to last longer. The squared off kitty litter buckets are also a nice size.
Let me know if you show up back on LI, it will be my turn to take you out on your old stomping grounds!
--Paul
Dick E posted 04-30-2009 09:17 PM ET (US)
Thanks Guys!
Crabby ,if I show up in LI I will definitely look you up. Same hold true if you go to the Carolina's. We fish more in the winter here, as the lakes do not freeze up and there are less idiots on the lake.
WaterWorldBoating posted 04-30-2009 10:45 PM ET (US)
Growing up we used to fill half gallon paper/cardboard milk and OJ containers with water and freeze them. When it came time to use them we would tear the paper off and break the block up with an ice pick. It worked nicely since the smaller pieces would fall in the nooks and crannies of the cooler. I don't know if you can even purchase beverages in cardboard containers anymore. It seems like they are all plastic now.
oahuwhaler posted 04-30-2009 10:55 PM ET (US)
Plastic 5 gallon buckets will expand and crack when Frozen.
efduffer posted 05-01-2009 12:30 AM ET (US)
I use the squared off bottles my wife buys orange juice in (Simply Orange, maybe?) to freeze water blocks. Just leave them a bit empty for expansion. They don't roll around as much, stay frozen longer, easier to arrange and are reusable. I don't have to drain the cooler afterward, which is a nice bonus. I use about half a dozen and they keep everything cold for at least 12 hours.
hauptjm posted 05-01-2009 08:28 AM ET (US)
If you're looking at larger blocks of ice to maintain itself for several days, you can't go wrong with dry ice. Of course, you'd be back to buying again, but it will last and last. Just don't touch it with bare hands, and don't put your face down into the cooler for long. It's tough to breath pure carbon dioxide.
gnr posted 05-02-2009 09:34 AM ET (US)
The buckets will crack.
If you paint the buckets black just a few minutes in the sun will melt enough so you can dump the ice.
We also use plastic milk/juice containers of various sizes with good results.
jimp posted 05-02-2009 11:13 AM ET (US)
Dick E -
Though not directly related to your request for info, this response still involves ice & coolers.
Living 1.7 miles from Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska provides a unique opportunity for ice. Whenever we need a large block for the boat or are having a party at the house we send the girls to the glacier with a cooler. They fish chunks of ice out of the lake in front of the glacier and fill the cooler. At the glacier, tourists think it's pretty cool and always "Oooh and ahhh". At the house guests enjoy drinks made with very hard ice that seems to last a long time.
Additionally, we freeze 1-gallon orange juice jugs (heavier than milk jugs) in our big freezer and add to the boat cooler if we're only going out for the day.
JimP
lizard posted 05-02-2009 11:41 AM ET (US)
I am with efduffer- the Simply Orange (lime, lemon, etc) containers work great, because of their shape. They stack and store more easily than milk jugs, are thicker plastic and I just used them for the same purpose on a family trip in the keys. They worked out really well. They were also great for making batches of cocktails for beach time.
Scott Grey posted 05-02-2009 12:56 PM ET (US)
I read something recently that said to take several 20 oz. water bottles (6-10) and some small 1/8"-3/16" dia. cord and tie them all together around the neck like a fish stringer. Throw them in your freezer. You have a handle to carry all of them at once (with the cord), plenty of ice and emergency water as needed. I haven't done it but will try soon!
Newtauk1 posted 05-03-2009 05:45 PM ET (US)
I use plastic Poland Spring 5 litre bottles. They seem to hold up well. I use tap water to fill them. They can be used for drinking water as well.
pglein posted 05-04-2009 01:12 PM ET (US)
Every few months, my girlfriend recieves medication from from our prescription drug provider. This medication must be kept cold, and so it comes with a very high quality freeze-pack, much like the "blue-ice" packs you're probably familiar with, but with a tough fabric exterior. I grab these before she tosses the box and put them in the freezer. They are great for lining the bottom of the cooler, and can be re-used over and over and over. Best part is that they're free, and the supply is essentially endless. I place a bed of them on the bottom of the cooler, place my pop/beer/food on top of that bed, and then dump the contents of the icemaker in our fridge over the pop/beer/food.
I never pay for ice.
deepwater posted 05-04-2009 08:05 PM ET (US)
Many grocery stores sell dry ice by the lb,, if your going to be out for several days a very small amount of dry ice will keep a good quality cooler frozen solid for several days,,just wrap in several layers of paper and place in several places in the cooler,,once you get water ice frozen to -200 deg it stays like that longer than just below O,,i would freeze my 5 gal buckets of chum and than dry ice them the night before the trip and 1 bucket would last about 6 hours
tombro posted 05-05-2009 10:39 AM ET (US)
Same as pglein, my wife gets a medication with free ice packs that I use over and over.
I also make ice, and sometimes use a stainless mixing bowl for a smaller chunk. The ice pops out almost immediately after removing the bowl from the freezer due to the more rapid thermodynamic properties of a metal, I guess.

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Author	Topic: Ice for coolers
Dick E	posted 04-30-2009 06:55 PM ET (US) The price of ice continues to rise. I have extra space in my freezer to freeze ice. I am thinking 5 gallon buckets.This is will not be use for direct human consumption. It will be used to keep fish cool and cool down drinks in bottles. Getting the ice of the buckets when frozen can be difficult. Any ideas to get the ice out easier?
Buckda	posted 04-30-2009 07:01 PM ET (US) First, I'd consider using 1 gallon and 1/2 gallon milk jugs. easier to use, keeps the cooler "dry" and accomplishes the same task. Also - these can be stacked more easily in the freezer, and give you some flexibility in your cooler arrangements. This also allows you to be able to use the water to drink, if needed. I also usually freeze several small water bottles or empty 20 oz coke bottles filled with water and then retrieve them out of the cooler throughout the day to provide ice-cold water to drink. ...but - if you want to go with the buckets, I suggest running a full tub of hot water in the bathtub and then dropping the 5 gallon bucket into that tub. The ice will release from the sides of the bucket. If you're definitely not going to drink the water, you can also oil the sides of the bucket - even cooking spray like "Pam" works.
kwik_wurk	posted 04-30-2009 07:03 PM ET (US) Vaseline. I have only used it once, and I actually put the entire cooler in the fridge. It was a 4" layer of ice at the bottom of the cooler. You could try a trash bag, or similar liner. But I have always used 1-liter and 2-liter soda bottles. A five gallon bucket, is going to last a long time in a fish box, and be heavy. (That should last multiple days.)
Buckda	posted 04-30-2009 07:08 PM ET (US) Another benefit to the milk jug method - water conservation. I'm no tree hugger, but it sure is nice to save a bit of the environment when you can. These can be frozen, thawed, refrozen, etc. repeatedly throughout the season. The milk jugs can then be recycled at the end of the season, or they can be used elsewhere around the house. I have one right now that is propping my basement door open so I can blow cool basement air up into the main floor at night while I sleep.
crabby	posted 04-30-2009 08:58 PM ET (US) I agree with everyone, make smaller batches. They will fit in more nooks and crannies. Line the buckets with bags if you use 5 gallon pails. You must have access to various sized containers in your line of work, be creative! Can you fit a cooler into your freezer? If so then fill it up as much as you need (or can lift). Bigger blocks always seem to last longer. The squared off kitty litter buckets are also a nice size. Let me know if you show up back on LI, it will be my turn to take you out on your old stomping grounds! --Paul
Dick E	posted 04-30-2009 09:17 PM ET (US) Thanks Guys! Crabby ,if I show up in LI I will definitely look you up. Same hold true if you go to the Carolina's. We fish more in the winter here, as the lakes do not freeze up and there are less idiots on the lake.
WaterWorldBoating	posted 04-30-2009 10:45 PM ET (US) Growing up we used to fill half gallon paper/cardboard milk and OJ containers with water and freeze them. When it came time to use them we would tear the paper off and break the block up with an ice pick. It worked nicely since the smaller pieces would fall in the nooks and crannies of the cooler. I don't know if you can even purchase beverages in cardboard containers anymore. It seems like they are all plastic now.
oahuwhaler	posted 04-30-2009 10:55 PM ET (US) Plastic 5 gallon buckets will expand and crack when Frozen.
efduffer	posted 05-01-2009 12:30 AM ET (US) I use the squared off bottles my wife buys orange juice in (Simply Orange, maybe?) to freeze water blocks. Just leave them a bit empty for expansion. They don't roll around as much, stay frozen longer, easier to arrange and are reusable. I don't have to drain the cooler afterward, which is a nice bonus. I use about half a dozen and they keep everything cold for at least 12 hours.
hauptjm	posted 05-01-2009 08:28 AM ET (US) If you're looking at larger blocks of ice to maintain itself for several days, you can't go wrong with dry ice. Of course, you'd be back to buying again, but it will last and last. Just don't touch it with bare hands, and don't put your face down into the cooler for long. It's tough to breath pure carbon dioxide.
gnr	posted 05-02-2009 09:34 AM ET (US) The buckets will crack. If you paint the buckets black just a few minutes in the sun will melt enough so you can dump the ice. We also use plastic milk/juice containers of various sizes with good results.
jimp	posted 05-02-2009 11:13 AM ET (US) Dick E - Though not directly related to your request for info, this response still involves ice & coolers. Living 1.7 miles from Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska provides a unique opportunity for ice. Whenever we need a large block for the boat or are having a party at the house we send the girls to the glacier with a cooler. They fish chunks of ice out of the lake in front of the glacier and fill the cooler. At the glacier, tourists think it's pretty cool and always "Oooh and ahhh". At the house guests enjoy drinks made with very hard ice that seems to last a long time. Additionally, we freeze 1-gallon orange juice jugs (heavier than milk jugs) in our big freezer and add to the boat cooler if we're only going out for the day. JimP
lizard	posted 05-02-2009 11:41 AM ET (US) I am with efduffer- the Simply Orange (lime, lemon, etc) containers work great, because of their shape. They stack and store more easily than milk jugs, are thicker plastic and I just used them for the same purpose on a family trip in the keys. They worked out really well. They were also great for making batches of cocktails for beach time.
Scott Grey	posted 05-02-2009 12:56 PM ET (US) I read something recently that said to take several 20 oz. water bottles (6-10) and some small 1/8"-3/16" dia. cord and tie them all together around the neck like a fish stringer. Throw them in your freezer. You have a handle to carry all of them at once (with the cord), plenty of ice and emergency water as needed. I haven't done it but will try soon!
Newtauk1	posted 05-03-2009 05:45 PM ET (US) I use plastic Poland Spring 5 litre bottles. They seem to hold up well. I use tap water to fill them. They can be used for drinking water as well.
pglein	posted 05-04-2009 01:12 PM ET (US) Every few months, my girlfriend recieves medication from from our prescription drug provider. This medication must be kept cold, and so it comes with a very high quality freeze-pack, much like the "blue-ice" packs you're probably familiar with, but with a tough fabric exterior. I grab these before she tosses the box and put them in the freezer. They are great for lining the bottom of the cooler, and can be re-used over and over and over. Best part is that they're free, and the supply is essentially endless. I place a bed of them on the bottom of the cooler, place my pop/beer/food on top of that bed, and then dump the contents of the icemaker in our fridge over the pop/beer/food. I never pay for ice.
deepwater	posted 05-04-2009 08:05 PM ET (US) Many grocery stores sell dry ice by the lb,, if your going to be out for several days a very small amount of dry ice will keep a good quality cooler frozen solid for several days,,just wrap in several layers of paper and place in several places in the cooler,,once you get water ice frozen to -200 deg it stays like that longer than just below O,,i would freeze my 5 gal buckets of chum and than dry ice them the night before the trip and 1 bucket would last about 6 hours
tombro	posted 05-05-2009 10:39 AM ET (US) Same as pglein, my wife gets a medication with free ice packs that I use over and over. I also make ice, and sometimes use a stainless mixing bowl for a smaller chunk. The ice pops out almost immediately after removing the bowl from the freezer due to the more rapid thermodynamic properties of a metal, I guess.